Universal Handrail Bracket with Rotating Annular Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current railing connectors for staircases and ramps lack adjustability in pitch, yaw, and roll angles, making it difficult for unskilled installers to securely attach railings to warped or curved surfaces without modifications, which increases installation time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A universal handrail support bracket comprising a bracket, an annular ring, a curved nut, and a cap that allows for free rotation and pivoting along pitch, yaw, and roll angles, enabling secure attachment of railings to vertical surfaces with adjustable angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional connectors with fixed angles are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The mounting plate incorporates multiple adjustment mechanisms including pitch adjustment (0-90 degrees), yaw adjustment (0-360 degrees), and roll adjustment, allowing the connector to adapt to various installation conditions while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector allows continuous variation of angular parameters (pitch, yaw, roll) to adapt to different mounting surfaces. The adjustment mechanisms enable changing these parameters within specific ranges, providing versatility for installing on flat, warped, or curved surfaces without requiring precise pre-configured angles.
2Device complexity
If connectors are pre-configured for specific angles, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector enables the installer to perform adjustments and alignments during installation without requiring external assistance or specialized skills. The self-adjusting mechanisms allow the installer to directly modify the connector's orientation and angle to match the mounting surface, making the installation process accessible to unskilled persons.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow real-time modification of mounting parameters during installation. This eliminates the need for pre-configuration and enables on-site adaptation to various surface conditions, significantly improving ease of operation for unskilled installers.
3Manufacturing precision
If mounting surfaces are cut or shimmed to fit conventional connectors, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the mounting surface to fit the connector, the connector is designed to adapt to the existing mounting surface. The adjustment mechanisms allow the connector to conform to warped or curved surfaces without requiring cutting, shimming, or other time-consuming surface modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector's dynamic adjustment capabilities enable it to accommodate irregular mounting surfaces through mechanical adjustment rather than requiring the surface to be modified. This eliminates time-consuming surface preparation steps while maintaining secure attachment and proper alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal handrail support bracket is disclosed in which a bracket is configured to be mounted to a handrail or banister and the bracket has an annular ring attached thereto. The annular ring has a concave interior surface and a convex exterior surface. A curved nut and a cap have surfaces which mate with respectively the inner and outer surfaces of the annular ring. The curved nut and the cap are positioned respectively inside and upon the annular ring such that they may both freely rotate and pivot. A fastener such as a screw passes through both the curved nut and the cap and into a fixed substantially vertical surface such that the bracket may be attached to the fixed substantially vertical surface at any desired pitch angle, yaw angle, and roll angle for attaching a rail to a vertical surface.